Corsair TWINX2048-3500LLPRO CAS2

Corsair have just launched what they call the fastest ASUS compatible DDR1 memory on the market. At PC3500 and CAS2, these 1GB sticks soar past the competition. Let’s see just how overclockable they are, and see how far we can push them while keeping our beloved CAS2.

Introduction

In the DDR1 market today, it’s hard to have a serious edge over the competition. There are lot’s of 2GB kits out there, but to see CAS2, they are usually rated for PC3200 speeds. Corsair has recently joint partnered with ASUS to optimize this memory for their new A8N32-SLI DELUXE/WIFI & A8N32-SLI DELUXE boards, although it’s far from necessary to own these boards to enjoy the speed these modules offer.

As always, before we jump into further specs, let’s look over Corsairs bio.

Corsair has earned a reputation of consistently being first to market with quality leading-edge products that support new computing platforms and technologies. Each stick of Corsair memory is specifically designed for rock-solid performance in the most demanding of applications. Corsair has a long history of cooperation, qualification and collaborative testing with the major motherboard and systems manufacturers. Often we are first to market with reliable memory for the latest systems.

If you are still saying “Why would I need 2GB?”, then consider this. Lately, we are seeing games like Battlefield 2 and upcoming games like FEAR that are testing your PC’s limits once again. If felt like deja vu after BF2 was released… because many users had to upgrade their memory to 1.5GB and 2GB just to get smooth gameplay. In fact, in our eVGA 7800GT review, we noted some findings with our look at FEAR. Increasing the system memory to 2GB made an immense difference, compared to even 1GB. You can see those findings here.

XMS 3500LL Features

These modules like many others come packaged in a clear blister pack, which showcases them well. The modules themselves have Black “XMS Pro” heatsinks, which are included with all of Corsairs Pro line. The heatsinks are large, and have a huge XMS logo to make it clear that these modules mean business. A lot of memory heatsinks can usually be easily removed so we can take a look at the chips, but not these. Removal of these heatsinks risks hurting the chips, so I left them intact.

The heatsinks are much larger than normal ones, so side by side, they clearly tower over. This is because the heatsinks have activity lights on top, which will look cool in any case mod. Overall, these are well designed modules, and you can feel the quality just by holding them.

This memory is rated for PC3500 speeds, which equates to DDR438. Stock timings are 2-3-2-6-1T at 2.8v… yes a CAS of 2! Hence the LL in the title, for Low Latency. Corsair is a first to have PC3500 1GB modules with a CAS Latency of 2, so we have high hopes here. It’s definitely a great feat they have accomplished.

Since I could not get inside the modules to see the chips, Corsair was kind enough to let me know that they are Infineon rev B IC. This means that we are dealing with BE-5, which is 5ns ram. Normally, B5 have native timings of 200MHz at 2-3-3-6, so no doubt Corsair had a fair amount of tweaking to do to acquire the timings we have on these modules.

As mentioned earlier, even though these were brought forth because of a joint effort between ASUS and Corsair, they do not require a special ASUS board to run. Why exactly are these modules recommended for use with an ASUS A8N32-SLI DELUXE/WIFI & A8N32-SLI DELUXE?